One in three Pakistanis suffering from psychological disorders

One out of three people in Pakistan is suffering from some form of psychological disorder, experts revealed during the 26th International Conference on Mental Health held in Karachi. The alarming figures highlight a growing mental health crisis driven by social, economic, and environmental stressors.

Scientific Committee Chairman of the conference, Professor Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, told The Express Tribune that 34 per cent of Pakistan’s population — one in three individuals — is affected by mental disorders, compared with one in five globally.

He said women are disproportionately impacted, largely due to domestic conflicts and social inequality. “Women in Pakistan are often deprived of the respect and recognition they deserve, leading to heightened levels of depression and anxiety,” he noted.

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Professor Afridi added that the use of narcotics such as crystal meth (ice) and other addictive substances is fueling an increase in mental health problems among the youth. He also pointed to repeated natural disasters - floods and earthquakes, along with terrorism and violence, as major factors causing psychological trauma among people.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Wajid Ali Akhundzada, President of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society, said, "One in four young people and one in five children in Pakistan are suffering from some form of psychological illness." He estimated that around 2.5 million people are affected by severe mental health conditions, often linked to economic hardship, political instability, and disaster-related stress.

He further revealed that 10 per cent of Pakistanis are addicted to drugs. He mentioned, around 1,000 people took their own lives last year due to mental distress.

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Experts at the conference warned that the country faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals. With a population of 240 million, Pakistan has only 90 qualified psychiatrists, whereas the World Health Organization recommends one psychiatrist per 10,000 people. At present, there is roughly one psychiatrist for every 550,000 patients, a ratio described as “grossly inadequate.”

Psychiatrist Dr Afzal Javed and other speakers said Pakistan’s economic instability, unemployment, recurring natural disasters, and border tensions have all contributed to widespread psychological distress, particularly among the youth. “Young people today feel hopeless and uncertain about their future,” Dr Javed said.

The experts urged the government to adopt a comprehensive national mental health strategy to address the rising crisis. They also drew attention to environmental degradation, noting that Pakistan’s tree cover stands at only four per cent, which exacerbates climate change-related anxiety and stress among the population.